NewbieRunner

Yes, and as far as I know it only applies to flights ex-US. There was some discussion about it in the C and F menu thread.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luft...rst-class.html

P.S. It appears this practice started in 2018. I came across my own comment from September 2018 which I found amusing:
“Since it was a late departure I decided to eat in the Polaris Lounge in SFO and only had some appetisers and chowder (which didn’t taste like crab despite what it said on the menu) on the plane. Perhaps my attempt to pick an option they did not serve in Business was a mistake. “

nologic

I’m sorry, I don’t think it’s typical…Frankly they could pay the same amount and serve different things and it would create a different perception… The expectation in first class Is that everything is amped up, especially among the premium first class airlines, which transatlantic includes LH.

But we do find this on AA. I think the primary point of differentiation between the food in first versus business on AA is a hot fudge sundae versus a cup of Häagen-Dazs ice cream. Certainly the wines are better on AA in first and they serve a mediocre additional appetizer not on the business class menu.

But the comparison shouldn’t be to low end carriers like AA.

There is a message here…people can ignore or choose to debate whether it’s meaningful or not, but basically for those who become aware of the two menus, the messages is that first class is receiving business class entrées.

And then of course when you match that the fact that LH is now serving a mediocre Thieniot $90 in first class in August, you just got to wonder what Lufthansa is trying to do with its first class food and beverage product?

seanp7

It may not be typical and yes, the 2% of people who actually put two and two together and realize this will be horrified that an airline is trying to make the same meals in bulk across two premium classes for some kind of profit.

I've always found the service, caviar, champagne, bed, etc top notch on LH F, and the mains mediocre every time. I usually get all three appetizers, the salad, and the soup to compensate, and eat in the lounge prior. It doesn't bother me that the mains are shared, but I can see how it may offend some people (who can fly other airlines or write a complaint). Certainly BOS-MUC is so quick that I personally would rather go to sleep than endure the 'business class' main *gasp*.

The FCT / car transfer on top of everything else are big F differentiators for me and why I still choose LH F. Happy flying!

IAN-UK

For us in business-class, the message is that we are receiving first-class entrées. I reckon that positive spin might balance out any inconsequential impact on demand for Lufthansa's first-class service.

theKrafty1tar

Not typical, but not unheard of either... For fun I had a look at the EK menus on BOS-DXB for F and C. Lo and behold, 3 business class mains appear on the first class menu (I chose a random date in September). Sure, there are 3 other Main options in F but just goes to show.

Anyway, like you mentioned the seat, bedding, FCT/FCL's and everything else is a much bigger reason for booking F for most people.

Jaenks

A lot of complaining before the flight and not only in this topic. Maybe you should forget about LH F, it is below of your F standard. Just take UA or LH business to avoid dissapoitment and possible whining during the trip? I already pray for the F crew, for PA in FCT and for the driver who may take you to the plane with VW van, not with Porsche.

chris63

+ 1

I never saw this sense of negativity prior to any flight

cfischer

Agreed. Privat Jet perhaps? LH F is one of the best products overall - the OP should enjoy this first time experience and all the good things that come with it. it is sad how one can be so unexcited about flying international F Although I fly it many times a year, I am still excited every time I get to go

theKrafty1tar

I feel the same way! I have multiple (paid) F trips every year. Never have I analyzed them to this extent. Sure- could they be better in some aspects? Absolutely! But nobody is perfect.

Not to mention that OP booked this with UA miles (as mentioned in one of the NUMEROUS threads in this forum)… definitely not the the target audience for LH…

Jaenks

LH F and J have probably same entrees from US. Disaster some may say!
AA F has hot fudge sundae and AA J has just cup of Häagen-Dazs. Hot fudge sundae is made from the same cup of vanilla Häagen-Dazs, just taken out and covered with hot fudge. The magic is done! Feel the difference between F and J!
What comes to champagne and other alcohol, there is absolutely no obligation to drink alcohol on a board. Especially any with mediocre quality and lowly priced.

nologic

I booked on UA miles using Chase Sapphire points and have dozens of paid and award F flights on the likes of AF (regular and Concorde), BA (regular and Concorde), LX, CX, SQ, JL, and QF, in addition to three prior F trips on LH. I have never flown UA F, and 3x flown AA Int'l F when I negotiated for 3 free F int'l tickets from AA to anywhere in exchange for AA becoming the designated airline sponsor for an international conference I created and managed. So I took those AA flights to Japan and China.

daumueller

congratulations.
not that this has anything to do with anything

nologic

it was a response to theKrafty1tar’s unjustified criticism above that because I booked with UA miles, I was not in a position to comment or provide insights, because I’m “not the the target audience for LH…”

chris63

That was an opinion & not unjustified at all
Obviously LH want’s paid pax in it’s F seats.

Rubbishing the current LH F offering before you experience it, is not the norm in any Forum i see here of FT.

weero

I did. In a documentary about the Doolittle Raid.

For the 5 people who read both the First and Biz class menu, yes.

Of whom one travels in F....